From the refs who have to deal with flying, wild tackles, to the players with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, or for the fans filled with tension from start to finish, worrying about what reaction they are going to walk into at work on Monday.

That’s unless their team has delivered a crushing defeat to their rivals (score-lines 5-1 and 3-0 spring to mind).

But Sunday’s clash at St Andrew’s between Blues and Villa is already different to most of the derbies played in this century between the two.

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For a start, both are in the second tier of English football together for the first time since 1988.

Gone are the days where the derby serves as an isolated battle between two sides with opposite aims for where they should be.

Blues and Villa are both looking upwards this season hoping for, if not expecting, promotion.

A victory for Blues would move them nine points clear of Villa, who are trying to move further away from the relegation zone and up towards the playoffs following seven points in Steve Bruce’s first three games.

Aston Villa's players celebrate after Jonathan Kodjia (left) scores

Add in that this is Steve Bruce’s first return to St Andrew’s as Villa manager makes this a very special occasion.

Bruce’s return is sure to light the torch on what will already be an electric atmosphere and it will be interesting to see what reception he receives from Blues fans who have generally retained a respect for him in the nine years since he left for Wigan Athletic.

Blues fans didn’t get the opportunity to welcome back Alex McLeish as Villa manager after he jumped ship so they may well make up for lost time with Bruce’s return.

It’s also a rare occasion where the teams seems perfectly matched.

David Cotterill celebrates his goal to make it 4-2

In the past Villa have possessed quality players such as Ashley Young, James Milner and John Carew who have been too much for Blues teams attempting to stave off relegation.

Last year’s League Cup encounter provided a prologue for Sunday’s game, but there was a gap in class between the two sides.

Bruce has been there and done it at this level, twice with Blues themselves.

He knows better than most how to approach these sort of games and after a strong start to his Villa career, he will be confident that his side can come away from St Andrew’s with something.